1997 Qayen earthquake facts for kids
| UTC time | 1997-05-10 07:57:29 |
|---|---|
| ISC event | 1026215 |
| USGS-ANSS | ComCat |
| Local date | May 10, 1997 |
| Local time | 12:57 |
| Magnitude | 7.3 Mw |
| Depth | 10 km (6 mi) |
| Epicenter | 33°50′38″N 59°48′36″E / 33.844°N 59.810°E |
| Type | Strike-slip |
| Areas affected | Iran Afghanistan |
| Total damage | $100 million USD |
| Max. intensity | X (Extreme) |
| Casualties | At least 1,567 dead, 2,300 injured, and around 50,000 homeless |
The 1997 Qayen earthquake was a very strong earthquake that hit the Khorasan Province in Northern Iran. It happened on May 10, 1997. This earthquake was also called the Quayen, Ardekul, or Qaen earthquake.
It was the biggest earthquake in that area since 1990. It measured 7.3 on the moment magnitude scale, which is a way to measure how powerful an earthquake is. This event was the third major earthquake in 1997 that caused a lot of damage.
What Happened in Qayen?
The earthquake caused a lot of destruction. It sadly killed 1,567 people and hurt over 2,300 others. About 50,000 people lost their homes because more than 15,000 houses were damaged.
The ground also shook with 155 aftershocks. These are smaller earthquakes that happen after a big one. The aftershocks added to the damage. Experts estimated that the total cost of the damage was about $100 million.
Why Was This Earthquake Important?
The United States Geological Survey is a group that studies the Earth. They said that the 1997 Qayen earthquake was the deadliest earthquake that happened anywhere in the world that year. This shows how serious and impactful the event was for the people living in Iran and Afghanistan.
Images for kids
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Saffron was a spice farmed by some of the earthquake victims.
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Southwest view of Qayen in 2006
See also
In Spanish: Terremoto de Qayen de 1997 para niños
